participation in beach and shore stabilization projects is justified 

 mainly by public recreational use. Coastal storm flood protection is 

 usually justified economically by prevention of damage, generally 

 for concentrated developments in exposed locations. A major 

 national assessment of shore erosion was completed in 1972. 



The marine pollution abatement and control mission of the 

 Department of Army originally stemmed from laws that were 

 concerned primarily with protection of the navigable waterways of 

 the United States. This mission has been modified somewhat by 

 recent legislation. Corps permits are required for dredging, filling, 

 and construction on navigable waters, with full consideration of 

 impacts on all factors of the public interest, including environmental 

 values. The Corps reviews all permit applications submitted to EPA 

 for discharges into navigable waters to determine the impact on 

 navigation. 



The estuarine studies of the Corps have a broad spectrum of 

 planning purposes, including navigation, sedimentation, water 

 quality and utilization, recreation, flood plain and wetlands 

 management, fish and wildlife protection, and preservation and 

 enhancement of natural values and environmental quality. 

 Estuarine studies of several major estuaries have included 

 Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, Delaware Bay, Mobile Bay, and 

 Galveston Bay, and utilized team efforts with States and other 

 Federal agencies to gain better understanding of physical and 

 biological processes. Supported by hydraulic (physical) and 

 mathematical models, the interdisciplinary studies and research 

 efforts are directed to the solution of water resources problems and 

 analysis of alternative management plans. 



Department of Commerce 



Two agencies of the Department of Commerce, the National 

 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the 

 Maritime Administration (MARAD), contribute to the Federal 

 Ocean Program. 



The basic missions of NOAA are the development, operation, and 

 maintenance of a national system for observing and predicting the 

 state of the atmosphere, the rivers, and the oceans, and the conduct of 

 research and development that contributes to the exploration, 

 conservation, and development of marine resources. Additionally, 

 an essential part of the NOAA program is the development of the 

 necessary scientific understanding, technological capabilities, and 

 support services required to carry out the foregoing missions. 



NOAA's major activities are the following: 



MAPPING, CHARTING, AND SURVEYING SERVICES 



The National Ocean survey (NOS) provides nautical charts which 

 are basic tools required for waterborne commerce, expanding marine 



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